Banbury 5, Kidderminster Carolians 11

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians produced an upset in the Midlands RFU Intermediate Cup as they stunned Midlands Division Two West (South) leaders Banbury.

Up against a side on the back of a five-game winning streak, KCs produced a stunning display to book their place in the semi-finals.

The visitors took the lead after a move sparked by the impressive Layton Wilkinson and eventually saw Andy McLellan crash over for a try in the fourth minute.

A Chris Pinner penalty made it 8-0 in the 11th minute.

Banbury then put together some useful phases of their own without ever being able to breach KCs defence.

The illegal use of the elbow gave Pinner another penalty chance from 25 metres and he made no mistake to edge Kidderminster into an 11-0 lead.

Banbury had put 105 points past Droitwich the previous week but had been kept at bay by Carolians and had never remotely threatened a score in the first 40 minutes.

Banbury piled on the pressure but a timely tackle by Arthur Morgan denied a try.

Kidderminster's resistance was finally broken when the hosts switched from right to left and then back again to find flanker Sean Bannister, who crossed for a try.

With the pitch now turning into a mudbath, KCs brought on fresh legs with Jack Tunstall and Ben Turner replacing Simon Clarke and Matt Rigsby.

Kidderminster were let off the hook as Banbury badly missed a shot at goal from the ten metre line and they made the most of their escape, using lineout ball to drive into Banbury’s 22.

Despite being under considerable pressure, the away team continued to show admirable discipline and they appeared to have seen the game out as the clock ticked past 80 minutes.

They had to endure an agonising eight minutes of time added on during which they were almost at breaking point and conceded five penalties.

Banbury opted to kick for position and score a try but defiant Kidderminster held out for a memorable win.

Kidderminster return to league action with a home fixture against Harborne on Saturday (2.15pm ko). Meanwhile, veterans made it a good afternoon out in Oxfordshire by also winning 25-0.